Navigating the nuanced dynamics of attorney-outsider relationships can indeed be a challenging task for in-house counsel. These relationships often require delicate management to ensure productive outcomes. With this task in mind, Google’s Senior Associate in Vendor Strategy and Governance Management, Matt Rubbelke, emphasizes the importance of effective problem-solving and clear communication.
Addressing a congregation of in-house attorneys at the CLOC Global Institute conference in Las Vegas, Rubbelke shared valuable insights on improving outside counsel interactions. Such relationships, he noted, should not contribute to emotional stress or frustration, but rather, if managed effectively, can lead to an advantageous exchange of legal expertise.
However, Rubbelke’s primary focus was on the issue, very often encountered, of applying a solution to a persisting problem – an endeavor that might result in wasted effort if not properly aimed. “You want to make sure that your problem is with your outside counsel. There’s nothing worse than doing all this work, only to have your issues persist, and you’ve employed a solution that doesn’t work,” observed Rubbelke.
Aligning oneself with an empathetic rather than a combative approach towards outside counsel, Rubbelke suggests, is the first step towards fostering an amicable professional relationship. His practitioner’s insight seems particularly relevant at a time when the legal industry worldwide is placing an increasing emphasis on interpersonal communication skills.